Baltic Agro: Increased Picking Performance by 70%

Modernised Spare Parts Warehouse - a Logical Step Towards Future Plans

How to ensure that an existing warehouse space can store more goods than before? How to become more modern and efficient? How to make the best use of the warehouse space up to the ceiling? In the search for solutions, the SSI LOGIMAT® vertical lift module was the logical answer, implemented by Baltic Agro Machinery in Latvia.

Considerations regarding the expansion of the warehouse

Baltic Agro Machinery (BA Machinery) has been operating in Latvia for more than twenty years and is engaged in the sale and after-sales services of agricultural, forestry, construction, and road-building machinery. There are around 15,000 various items of goods stored in the existing warehouse to ensure everyday services and adequate supply to the service centres. They are located in two buildings, covering a total area of 2,000 m². The company faced challenges on its path of implementing plans, as it was clear that the existing warehouse capacity would not be able to provide the required goods storage density; besides, it is necessary to accelerate the product selection processes, while at the same time eliminating the number of potential selection errors. Finally, the aim was also to become more modern in terms of integrating processes with the existing goods inventory and accounting system. The question was: how to solve it?

Solution concept

During project development, it was decided to install two SSI LOGIMAT vertical lift modules, taking full advantage of the permissible ceiling clearance. The height of both units is 7.5 m and each of them occupies 14 m² of floor space. By comparison, if this volume were to be converted into static shelving, the floor area would increase by around seven times. Baltic Agro has successfully implemented a well-developed storage strategy. This allows the daily product selection processes to be completed efficiently and with appropriate quality. What makes the new project of BA Machinery special is that it introduces WAMAS Lift & Store– a control system module designed specifically for controlling the vertical lift module unit.

SSI LOGIMAT: Fast, efficient and ergonomic

The simple order picking process takes about 30 seconds, with the activities being controlled via easy-to-read touchscreen. Its intuitive interface is equipped with user-friendly dialogs and it is to operate. Thus, the total time required for order picking, compared with the same process from static shelving, is generally reduced by 70%. In addition, the number of  picking errors has been reduced almost to zero. Baltic Agro Machinery choses to use LOGIPOINTER as an  extra functionality, which additionally illuminates the storage position with a laser beam . So, the operator can easily spot it by following the cross-shape illumination . With LOGIBAR, The entire picking process is acknowledged by means of a continuous confirmation light barrier under the operating opening. Those three additions mentioned are just some in variety of extras that increase efficiency and ergonomics at Baltic Agro.

The ergonomics of the equipment concerning the warehouse staff remains an underestimated factor. It is increasingly important to ensure the well-being of employees as well as comfortable and good working conditions, especially in warehouses where the workload is relatively higher and more demanding. In practical terms, this means work surfaces of appropriate heightened work safety. With LOGIWORK, height of the shelf can be adjusted and adapted to the operator.  That ensures that the  picker’s working position is  more comfortable and health-friendly as there is virtually no need to bend the upper part of the body. 

As explained by the Board Member and Baltic Spare Parts Manager of Baltic Agro Machinery Gatis Sakne: “Being part of an international group, experience exchange trips are really useful to get inspiration and exchange views on the experience. Throughout our Northern European Group, there was a focus on modernising processes, and adapting them to local market requirements and specificities. For us, it was very important to adapt the existing buildings and premises, as we were not planning to acquire any new premises.  Increasing storage density and the provision of more efficient processes were equally important. Finally, it was important for us to start a slow journey towards digitised processes. The choice of partner was clear as the group was already cooperating with SSI SCHAEFER. All that was left to discuss was the development of the desired project and the timing of its implementation in more detail.”

WAMAS Lift & Store - the first project implemented in Northern Europe

The SSI LOGIMAT are controlled by WAMAS Lift & Store, a software for a sophisticated item and order management of vertical lift modules. That allows Baltic Agro to further excel their full potential. As commented by the Sales Department Manager of SSI SCHAEFER, Jānis Krūtkrāmelis: “It is a great responsibility on our part to implement and successfully introduce the WAMAS Lift & Store system right here in our home country of Latvia.” Integration of the system allows the accuracy of data required for accounting, sales and inventory control purposes to be ensured and keeps the number of selection errors to the minimum, which is one of the purposes of modernisation. 

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